One of the mid-season highlights is the week in Sussex that sees the best Flat horses clashing once again. We take a look at five of the treats that await racing fans at Glorious Goodwood.
No Duel but Poetic Flair To Light Up Goodwood
The Sussex Stakes has seen some high profile clashes over the years the previous winners of the race include the brilliant Frankel (twice) Kingman and Too Darn Hot in recent times.
Regretfully we won’t get the mouth-watering clash between Poetic Flair and Palace Pier this year, which will leave the 2000 Guineas winner a short price to enhance his reputation off the back of claiming the St James Palace at Royal Ascot in June.
If nothing else it is a chance to enjoy seeing Jim Bolger’s stable star in action once again.
What a performance!
Poetic Flare cruises to becoming the 15th horse to win the Newmarket 2,000gns and the St James's Palace Stakes #RoyalAscot pic.twitter.com/RkSIDmBX1n
— Ascot Racecourse (@Ascot) June 15, 2021
Battaash aims to bounce back at his beloved Goodwood
The King George Stakes can be a case of blink and you miss them. The sprint over the five furlongs gives you some of the best speedsters around, clashing often on a surface primed for some quick times.
It is incredible to think Battaash has claimed the last four renewals of the race and bids to improve on that record once again. At the time of writing he is 6/4 to do that, but even with him impressive record his recent defeat at Royal Ascot will nag in the minds of even his biggest fans.
Trainer Charlie Hills has reported the seven year old to have come out of Ascot well and feels a return to Goodwood, with more time in training, will see him improve and run a big race in his quest to make it five in a row
2️⃣0️⃣1️⃣7️⃣ BATTAASH
2️⃣0️⃣1️⃣8️⃣ BATTAASH
2️⃣0️⃣1️⃣9️⃣ BATTAASH
2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣0️⃣ BATTAASH
2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣1️⃣ ?The King George Qatar Stakes @Goodwood_Races is synonymous with one horse – will he achieve victory again in this year's race? 🦇 pic.twitter.com/qEAdNxY4hi
— World Horse Racing (@WHR) July 20, 2021
Stewards Cup Puzzle Always A Tough Nut to Crack
As betting handicaps go on the flat, the Stewards Cup run on the Saturday of Goodwood is one of the toughest but most rewarding races to find the winner of.
The six furlong sprint is always something special to watch and has thrown up plenty of nice types who have claimed victory in the race. Recent trends in the race have seen a shift in the profile of winner with the last four winners all carrying 9-5.
At this stage it is hard to have a strong fancy and the draw used to always scupper a nice ante post plunge that has looked to be less important in recent renewals.
I think there is plenty to like about 16/1 shot and previous winner Summerghand who looks to be on a nice handicap mark just 1lb below what he won off here in 2020. He has since beaten a group one winner in Oxted and I believe offers some great each way value.
What a performance!
Summerghand denies Kimifive to land the @UnibetRacing Stewards' Cup in thrilling style for @omeararacing#QatarGoodwoodFestival pic.twitter.com/ziDn0Ie4iY
— Goodwood Racecourse (@Goodwood_Races) August 1, 2020
Stradivarius aims to get back on Song
It seems amazing to reflect on the record of John Gosden’s star stayer who relishes his trips to the Sussex coast having claimed the Goodwood Cup four times in his illustrious career already.
Royal Ascot wasn’t regular rider Frankie Dettori’s finest hour with the horse getting boxed in and having to wait for a gap which came too late.
That said the winner Subjectivist was very impressive and would have been hard to match even if Frankie had got the dream passage round Ascot. It is a real shame we won’t get the rematch with Mark Johnson’s horse out with injury.
That leaves Stradivarius with an easier task in his quest for a fifth win in a race he has made his own. He is certain to be considered one of the bankers of the week for favourite backers and you can expect his fan club to be out in force at Goodwood.
We're 𝕠𝕟𝕖 𝕨𝕖𝕖𝕜 𝕒𝕨𝕒𝕪 from the Qatar Goodwood Festival LIVE on @ITV!
In 2020 Stradivarius claimed a FOURTH Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup 🏆
Will he make it number 5️ next Tuesday? 🧐#ITVRacing pic.twitter.com/jmzbERheAj
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) July 20, 2021
Packed Stands Return
Goodwood is going to be the first major festival back with few restrictions, the sight of stands packed with racing fans enjoying the action is going to be a real sign of progress towards normality and give everyone a huge lift.
It will be brilliant to see winners returning to huge acclaim which is another element that has been hugely missing from the track and from the pictures we have all been watching from home.
Coming soon 🙌 @Goodwood_Races pic.twitter.com/hR0JLopuYO
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 15, 2021
